G10 - Special Education

Addison Northwest Supervisory Union Policy

SECTION: STUDENTS CODE G10

Title: SPECIAL EDUCATION

Policy
It is the policy of the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union to meet the
needs of students with disabilities as defined in federal and state law
and regulations and to provide a free and appropriate public education
(FAPE) to these students in the least restrictive environment that will
allow all students to benefit educationally.

Implementation
The Superintendent and other appropriate administrators will develop
specific procedures regarding the identification and education of
students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
and applicable state law and state and federal regulations.

The
Superintendent or designee will assure that the individual education
program team assembled to develop the individualized education plan for
each disabled student is appropriately staffed and that all members are
well educated about state and federal law. As directed under 16 V.S.A.
§2959(b), team members will be instructed to examine the range of
options that will fulfill the requirements of the student’s IEP under
state and federal law and to select options that are most cost effective
for the District.

In
designing the educational plans for disabled students, the LEA
representative will communicate to the IEP team the ability of the
classroom staff to provide for the needs of the disabled student without
negatively affecting the quality of education for all classroom
students.

The
Superintendent will encourage the special education coordinator to
consult with legal counsel when questions about compliance with the law
arise in the performance of duties relative to serving special education
students. Ongoing training in the law and best practices will be made
available to special educators and other appropriate personnel.

The
Superintendent or designee will also assure that all personnel who help
in the education of children with disabilities are appropriately
trained to meet individual student needs.

The
Superintendent will encourage the establishment of strong
communications with parents/guardians of students with disabilities (in
addition to their participation on the IEP team) and will support them
in their work with their children at home to complement the efforts of
the school.

The
Superintendent will report annually to the Board and to the
Commissioner of Education on special education program outcomes, changes
in child count, the rates of increase or decrease of special education
costs, the availability of special education staff and other pertinent
information. This report will be based on a systemic analysis of the
District’s special education program that will lead to ongoing
improvements in outcomes.